an observer hears an echo 1.26 seconds after blowing a whistle near a cliff. calculate the distance of the observer from the cliff. [speed of sound in air =...
an observer hears an echo 1.26 seconds after blowing a whistle near a cliff. calculate the distance of the observer from the cliff. [speed of sound in air = 330ms-1]
Answer Details
When a sound wave is produced, it travels through the air with a certain speed. When it reaches a surface such as a wall, a portion of the sound energy is reflected back to the source as an echo.
To calculate the distance of the observer from the cliff, we need to first determine the distance travelled by the sound wave. Since the sound wave travels to the cliff and then back to the observer, the total distance travelled is twice the distance from the observer to the cliff.
We can use the formula:
distance = speed x time
where speed is the speed of sound in air and time is the time between the sound wave being produced and the echo being heard.
In this case, the time is given as 1.26 seconds and the speed of sound in air is given as 330 m/s.
Therefore, the distance travelled by the sound wave is:
distance = speed x time
distance = 330 m/s x 1.26 s
distance = 415.8 m
Since the sound wave travels twice the distance from the observer to the cliff, we need to divide the distance travelled by 2 to find the distance from the observer to the cliff:
distance from observer to cliff = 415.8 m / 2
distance from observer to cliff = 207.9 m
Therefore, the distance of the observer from the cliff is 207.9 meters.
The correct option is: 207.9m